Today, let’s consider how to change your life with daily gratitude affirmations. For real! This post contains information that could possibly change your life for the better! Years ago, changing the way I thought and spoke, using daily affirmations, were a large part in beginning to attack my negative, habitual thinking. In addition to affirmations, I also used thanksgiving as a means to combat those unwanted thoughts. Those who suffer from and with obsessive, scary, negative thinking patterns will tell you, “This is a battle.” And those of us who are standing on the other side of that fierce battle for joy, we can tell you, “Gratitude is a means through that hell in your mind and heart.” But you don’t have to be in the midst of an emotional, mental and spiritual battle for joy–or even your very life itself–to benefit from using daily gratitude affirmations. Let’s look at some science.
Gratitude Affirmations
- According to a 2005 study, a five-minute a day gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by more than 10 percent.
- A 2011 study showed that keeping a gratitude journal helped you fall asleep faster, sleep longer and better.
- In 2005 a study revealed those who kept a “Gratitude Journal” lowered depressive symptoms by 30% as long as the practice was continued.
- Gratitude reduces feelings of envy, makes our memories happier, lets us experience good feelings, and helps us bounce back from stress.
- A 2012 study concluded grateful people experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier than other people,
- A psychologist from the University of Birmingham noted in 2013 that the “list of potential benefits is almost endless: fewer intellectual biases, more effective learning strategies, more helpfulness towards others, raised self-confidence, better work attitude, strengthened resiliency, less physical pain, improved health, and longevity.”
Now let’s talk real life and not so clinical. That battle I mentioned I was fighting for my mind; I was so busy being scared, I could not be grateful. Or let me say this, I had to make a serious, conscious and intentional effort to be grateful. All my time and energy was being taken up being scared, anxious, and afraid. Instead of living in fear, I needed to live in gratitude. Instead of being afraid of what might happen; all the scary, obsessive thoughts I was having naturally, I had to make a choice to be grateful for all the good that had already happened.
The process of forming the habit of using daily gratitude affirmations began as a stunted, forced assignment from my counselor–write down 20 things, everyday to be thankful for…no repeats. This unfamiliar process of being grateful began as stunted because I went from 0-20, no repeats. It was forced because, for most of my life, my default was fear. I was not used to living in a place of thanksgiving. And I’ll remind you again, no repeats. I could only use hot chocolate, a pretty sunrise, or my children’s laughter only once. Well, technically, I’ve got 7 children (only 6 at the time)–and yes, yes I did count each one of their laughs as it’s own entry in the beginning…that was not cheating, it was more a process of learning to see. You know how when you come inside to a darker room than outside and it takes a minute for your eyes to adjust…well, it’s the same process when you begin to focus on gratitude; it takes a minute to adjust your sight.
I would love to report that I have journals and spirals with page after page filled with gratitude, but I don’t. I have some scattered here and there…I have a weird thing about journaling. I tend to keep a list for a while, get too busy–whatever that means–and the habit falls by the wayside. Time passes and I start needing a mental tune-up so I go back to the process of keeping track of things I am thankful for. I’m nothing if not honest and real here. And the read deal is, I just had to pick up my old gratitude journal.
If you are struggling with gratitude. If you think Thanksgiving is only a holiday, I challenge you to start a greatitude journal today. I double dog dare you to start with 20–no repeats. Why dip your toe in the gratitude pool when you can cannonball into the deep!
And now for some of those daily gratitude affirmations. Print this list out and hang it on your bathroom mirror (next to the printable, How Does God Feels About Me). Han gthis up in your office cubical or inside your kitchen cabinet where you reach up to get your coffee cup each morning. Wherever you place this printable–use it. Say these daily affirmations of gratitude every single day, preferably out loud. Say them each day and then write your list of 20 people, places or things you are thankful for. I guarantee, repeating these daily gratitude affirmations will help you and teach you how to be a more grateful person.
I’m grateful for the beautiful resource you have made this site – I found it while looking for a daily Catholic devotion and it was just what I needed to find in this season of my life. Thank you!
Thank you friend for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment.
I just love this, thanks for the reminder to be thankful, for all and in all things. I am thinking of making a thankful tree and getting the children to make thankful fruit to hang on it. Sometimes they need reminders too about all they are blessed with. Thanks for linking up at Good Morning Mondays
Hi Terri. The reminder is as much for me, especially in this season when all that glitters entices me to want more.
It seems easier to complain and find fault instead of discovering things to be thankful for. Yet the Scriptures urge us to have an attitude of gratitude and praise to our Lord. I was thinking of the Lord’s prayer and the phrase “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In heaven there is NO sorrow, only joy – no tears, only laughter, no death, only life, no sickness, only vibrant living. Counting our blessings will bring a new mind-set and from there a renewing of the mind. We choose to give praise and thankfulness to Jesus. Thank you for sharing your awesome post with us here at “Tell me a Story.”
I enjoyed reading your comment Hazel. Thanks for the time to leave it.
I am so bad about writing stuff down in random places and not being able to find or keep up with them.
You’re doing an amazing job with your blog!
You would not believe how many pieces of paper I have written a quote on or grabbed a journal by the computer to write down a quote and then grabbing a different one in the bedroom for something I’ve read. I need to start one and finish one then move on to the next one.
Thanks for the challenge, Jenny! Gratitude is such a gift! I remember for our wedding, Sister prayed that our engagement would be a time of Celebration, Prayer, and Thanksgiving. This was one of the many gifts she shared with us prior to our wedding day. I clung to these three words and experienced a grace-filled engagement. Now to continue living these three daily! 🙂
You’re right Amanda! Gratitude is something to be thankful for 🙂
LLAMA FACE!!!!! ha ha ha
I was so busy being scared, I could not be grateful; there wasn’t time.
Amen to that. I feel as if I’ve spent most of the past year in this frame of mind. Scared out of my mind (still) that my life journey may not end as far in the future as I’d like….but now able to be truly and joyfully grateful.
Amen to gratitude in the present moment.
1. Sunshine
2. Warmer weather
3. The kid’s Heelys
4. Legos
5. Roasted chicken
6. Stock simmering on the stove
7. Grace
8. Mercy
9. Forgiveness
10. Dinner at my sister’s on Thursday
11. Stable blood sugar
12. Level headed 15 year old son
13. A dependable husband
14. A steady income
15. A home with heat and A/C
16. Low prices at the commissary
17. Cottage cheese and strawberries
18. Pumpkin granola
19. Fall birthdays behind me
20. Advent ahead of me
Great list Michelle! Even the Legos which we all know end up scattered on the floor!
Wow! I think this practice of listing what we’re grateful for is so vital for so many reasons … It has blessed me this month, that is for sure!
Yay Sarah! November is a great month to get our gratitude on!
You’ve got a noble advocacy. This simple act of posting daily affirmation makes a huge difference for other people’s lives. Keep blogging!
Thank you for the encouragement Lux! Here’s to being grateful!
Wonderful post. It is funny how if we were asked to write 100 things that annoy us, we could probably do it in a flash. Yet we have to constantly remind ourselves to be grateful. Such is our fallen nature, I guess.
I know Jayne. There really is a battle for gratitude going on in so many of our hearts and minds.
Hey Jenny … I love this choice, moment by moment, to speak the gratitude that’s already filling up within.
Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours!
Hi Linda. The key word is “already” isn’t it? Thanks for visiting.